When we think about growing up, we usually think about age. Children become teenagers, teenagers become adults, and years pass whether we want them to or not. Spiritual growth works differently.
It is entirely possible to spend many years in church, attend countless meetings, know Bible stories inside out, and still struggle with the same attitudes and habits that have always held us back. At the same time, it is possible for a relatively new believer to display a deep love for God and genuine Christlike character. That is because spiritual maturity is not measured by how much we know but rather by who we are becoming.
Am I becoming more like Jesus?
In Galatians 5, Paul invites us to look beneath the surface. Rather than focusing on religious activity, he points us towards something far more revealing: our character. The question is not only, “What do I know about Jesus?” but more importantly, “Am I becoming more like Jesus?” For Salvationists, this is at the heart of holy living. God does not just forgive us and leave us unchanged. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, He shapes us so that our thoughts, attitudes, words and actions increasingly reflect the character of Christ.
Paul describes a struggle that every Christian recognises. On one side are the desires of our sinful nature. On the other is the work of the Holy Spirit within us. These influences pull in different directions, and every day we are faced with choices about which voice we will follow. That is why Paul writes: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
God often works through a process.
Notice the word walk. Paul does not talk about a single dramatic experience. Walking is something we do one step at a time. Spiritual growth happens in much the same way. It is found in daily decisions to trust God, obey Him and allow Him to direct our lives.Most of us would prefer instant transformation. We would like impatience, pride, jealousy, anger or selfishness to disappear overnight. Instead, God often works through a process. Over time, He reshapes our hearts and teaches us to rely on Him.
Paul then lists attitudes and behaviours that grow out of our sinful nature. What is striking is how many of them affect relationships. Jealousy, selfish ambition, discord, envy and anger all damage our connections with others. This is a reminder that spiritual maturity is revealed less by what happens in public worship and more by what happens in everyday life. How do we respond when someone disagrees with us? How do we react when we are overlooked, criticised or frustrated? How do we treat the people closest to us?
Jesus taught that a tree is known by its fruit. Paul develops the same idea when he speaks about the fruit of the Spirit: “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” These qualities are evidence that the Holy Spirit is at work within us.
Fruit cannot be tied onto a tree. It grows because the branch remains connected to the source of life. In the same way, Christlike character develops as we remain close to Jesus and continually respond to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. This does not happen through determination alone. Of course, spiritual disciplines matter … prayer, Bible reading, and worship. But these are not simply religious duties. They are ways of staying connected to the One who transforms us.
Paul is describing progress, not perfection.
Perhaps the most encouraging part of this passage is that Paul is describing progress, not perfection. That is a relief right? None of us displays the fruit of the Spirit perfectly. We all have areas where God is still at work. The important question is whether there is evidence of growth. Are we becoming more loving than we once were? More patient? More gentle? More faithful?
Often the people around us notice the change before we do. A family member may see that we are quicker to listen and slower to react, or a colleague may notice greater calm under pressure, or a friend may recognise a growing kindness or humility. These changes may seem small, but they are signs of something significant. They reveal that God’s Spirit is at work within us.
Pause and Reflect
- What is the difference between knowing what is right and allowing the Holy Spirit to shape your character?
- Which aspect of the fruit of the Spirit do you find most challenging?
- If those closest to you were asked whether you are becoming more like Jesus, what evidence might they point to?
This Week’s Challenge
Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit and focus on it intentionally this week. Ask God each day to help you grow in that area, and look for opportunities to put it into practice.
Growing spiritually means allowing Jesus to shape who we are from the inside out. As we walk with Jesus and allow His Spirit to work within us, our lives begin to bear the kind of fruit that reflects Him to the world around us.